TRS5102 - Philosophies of the Self

Objectives:

1) demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the philosophical positions of key writers in the history of Existentialism
(2) critically analyse and compare these positions and the texts in which they are presented
(3) demonstrate an appreciation of how these philosophies have been applied to understanding human existence and themes such as death, identity and the individual in society
(4) engage with the presentation of philosophical ideas and positions related to Existentialism in a variety of different media such as essays, novels, plays or films

Content:

The module will introduce students to key thinkers in the history of Existentialism and help them to critically assess the philosophical positions formulated by those thinkers. \\ Beginning with precursors of Existentialism such as Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, who were responding to the modern identity crisis and were dissatisfied with the solutions offered by Western academic philosophy, the module then looks at the attempts to formulate Existentialism as a new philosophical method and system by Heidegger, Sartre and Jaspers, before turning to engagements with the question of human existence in literature (Kafka and Camus) and the application of this to theology (Bultmann, Tillich, and Macquarrie). The second part of the module then looks at how these positions have been applied to the central questions of human existence that have provided the recurring themes of Existentialist writers, including selfhood, death, freedom, sin, and the question of God.

Throughout the module, these positions and ideas will be explored through their presentation in a variety of media, students being given extracts from different sources which may include philosophical works (for example Kierkegaard¡¦s Concluding Unscientific Postscript, Sartre¡¦s Being and Nothingness); devotional literature (for example, Kierkegaard¡¦s Upbuilding Discourses); aphoristic writing (for example Nietzsche¡¦s Thus Spoke Zarathustra); novels (for example, Kafka¡¦s The Trial, Camus¡¦ The Outsider); plays (for example, Sartre¡¦s No Exit); and film (for example, The Prisoner, The Trial, The Matrix, I „Z Huckabees).

Learning and Teaching Information:

The course will be taught in plenary sessions which will make use of a blend of teaching and learning methods. These will normally include: lecture-style presentations by the tutor; seminar-style discussion of a particular topic; informal prepared presentations by students, followed by discussion; formal assessment by presentation to the rest of the group; other exercises as appropriate to material and group. Guidance on reading in preparation for each session and activity will be given; and learning will be supported where appropriate by VLE and other electronic resources. Guidance on research and essay-writing will be embedded in the learning and teaching process throughout the module; and may also be supported by tutorial guidance on essay plans if required.

Lectures / Seminars
Contact hours:40
Number of Groups:1

Assessment:

001 Essay 1 x 1500 words 30%
002 Portfolio 1 x 1000 words equivalent 30%
003 Exam 1 x 2 hours 40%
900 Essay 30% weighting (alt form of assessment 002) %


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